30 cal hunting bullet range suggestions

[wboggs]

Well said. Respect the animal and do everything for a humaine kill.

 

[CharlieNC]

If you want an authoritative answer based on thousands of kills go to Nathan Fosters website Terminal Ballistics and order one of the books on the topic.

 

[Coyotefurharvester]

A bullet is just another tool, pick the correct tool for the job. And don't expect the tool to out perform from its design. No need to tell us the wrong tool didn't work, the long range shows don't either.

 

[Loudenboomer]

I shoot quite a few 300's from a 338 Lapua. I have serious doubts getting consistent expansion with the 300 Accubond at 1200 yds. I'd try get a little closer. It can be done. Just too many variables for me. My 2 cents

 

[Ledd Slinger]

In 30 cal, the Berger 220gr LRHT has performed the best for me to date. Ranges from 80 yards to 840 yards so far with perfect performance in all instances.

Also a fan of the Berger 215gr. It causes more meat damage at closer ranges but still kills very efficiently.

I have also been hearing and seeing some good results from colleagues on the performance of the Berger 185gr Juggernaut.

 

[Rem06]

Also a fan of the Berger 215gr. It causes more meat damage at closer ranges but still kills very efficiently

saw a speedgoat hit at 50yds and almost got back spray with blood!
they turn to powdered metal with that kind of energy! By all means you want a broadside shot, bergers do break up into the meat.
they like a nice broadside hit

i dont use anything but berger for long range

 

[Ledd Slinger]

saw a speedgoat hit at 50yds and almost got back spray with blood!
they turn to powdered metal with that kind of energy! By all means you want a broadside shot, bergers do break up into the meat.
they like a nice broadside hit

i dont use anything but berger for long range

Yeah I’ve been using Berger for hunting all game animals at all ranges since 2006. Started out very skeptical and after a few years of consistent results I became a full on believer. Racked up a lot of kills with Berger. (6.5mm: 140gr, 7mm: 168gr, 308: 215gr/220gr/230gr, 338: 250gr)

I’ve also only loaded Berger for my son since he started hunting 8 years ago. My father in law uses Berger bullets exclusively as well. We haven’t tried all of the Berger options, but none of us have experienced a bullet failure yet. Berger has put a ton of meat in the freezer for all of us and will continue to do so.

 

[Phys86]

I second the suggestion to read up on Nathan Foster's experience. I believe he spends all day shooting feral goats and documenting bullet performance.

You may also consider going over to longrangehunting forum and ask a guy with the handle fordy. He spent many years culling many many animals and documenting bullet performance. I think he's currently testing some hammer bullets.

 

[L.Sherm]

I second the suggestion to read up on Nathan Foster's experience. I believe he spends all day shooting feral goats and documenting bullet performance.

You may also consider going over to longrangehunting forum and ask a guy with the handle fordy. He spent many years culling many many animals and documenting bullet performance. I think he's currently testing some hammer bullets.

Those Bullet threads on Longrange hunting end up being dumpster fires.
The Hammer one is currently.
People just need to use the bullet they want and quit trying to convince other people that X bullet is better than Y or Z.

 

[Orr89rocz]

Yeah use what you want and what ur own experience tells you. Every make and model bullet has stories of success and failures. Some guys like the 185 juggernaut. I used one once on a 60 yrd whitetail double lung and it just simply penciled right thru like an arrow with no blood lol killed it but didnt like it. So hunting vld it is for me or typical hunting grade bullets

 

[Gary in MD]

Those Bullet threads on Longrange hunting end up being dumpster fires.
The Hammer one is currently.
People just need to use the bullet they want and quit trying to convince other people that X bullet is better than Y or Z.

Yuppp
They are definitely drunk on the Hammer Koolaid over there.

 

[wywindsor]

I don't want to shoot long range at an animal if i don't have to. I prefer to shoot them with a bow. But with Wyoming's G&F not having a point system and huge amounts of hunters in general areas i have come to the conclusion I may have to take longer shots. It took me 39 years to draw my first limited quota elk tag. I'm well versed in what it takes to make a long archery or rifle shot. I prefer not to shoot past 20 yards with a bow and not over 100 with a rifle. But how many times has this happed. You guessed not many. 1200 may not be in the cards or any yardage that not feasible for the conditions. One would think the bullet manufactures would suggest an appropriate speed for x amount of expansion. I know what the bullet hits make a difference say ribs vs shoulder bone. Shooting ballistics jel is not enough.

All the comments above are well understood. i have shot many animals with a bow. Some stood there till they dropped. Some ran 200 yards and anywhere in between. Animals die different from the same shot. One well placed shot will do it every time. But there are circumstances we can control and some we can't. I think we all know and understand these things. Still animals die different.

 

[Ledd Slinger]

Yeah use what you want and what ur own experience tells you. Every make and model bullet has stories of success and failures. Some guys like the 185 juggernaut. I used one once on a 60 yrd whitetail double lung and it just simply penciled right thru like an arrow with no blood lol killed it but didnt like it. So hunting vld it is for me or typical hunting grade bullets

In the pics I’ve seen from a couple friends this year, it didn’t look like the 185gr Juggernaut delivers the same complete destruction to vitals like people are used to with Berger. The 185 still seems to be an effective hunting bullet but terminal performance is not exactly what I expect to see from a Berger bullet.

The traditional Berger traits I have come to know and love over the years are a small entrance hole, silver dollar size exit, everything in chest is completely liquified into a bloody soupy mess, and minimal meat damage.

 

[spaniel]

So what bullet do you use and what effective range do you believe it works at. Mainly looking for 180gr plus information. I have lived in Wyoming for 43 years and hunted big game all of them. A 300 win mag seems to be the winning choice for years with a 180gr bullet. I know more elk were killed with a 30/30 or a 30 06 in years past with alot less power. So i'm looking for and all around bullet proven at close range and distance out to 1200 yards.


Two years ago I shot a 6 point bull at 50 yards. The tag I had took 39 years to draw. I shot it with a 300 win. and a 180gr combined technologies bullet. The bull fell in his tracks. I chambered another round and watched him as I kneeled down to pickup my brass. I also watched him get up and run 175yards where another hunter shot him. What I found was 6 to 8 inches of hide and meat blown off his shoulder. The load was from nosler at 3160fps. I helped this guy dress his elk and traveled on. Two hours later I shot another elk at 50 yards behind the front shoulder then twice in the neck to kill him. Never before have I had this happen. I have shot hornady spbt and win. silvertips. the old style. I bought these in case i needed to shoot past 500 yards. Never again.

Sounds like you used too soft a bullet for a magnum at close range. I recommend a 200gr Nosler Accubond, I've used them from 20 to 620 yards from a 300wm with good expansion. Exits at all ranges.

 

[Alex Wheeler]

I have had good luck with every Berger I have used. They all have a little different performance. The 7mm 168 vld goes in and explodes. 4 elk and they all acted the same. Just jello inside. No exit. The 300 otm in the 338 and the 185 juggernaut act more like a controlled expansion bullet. Not as explosive, less blood shot and a decent exit hole. The 215 seems to be in the middle of that. I can say, when put in the heart/lungs they all have put elk down at about the same speed. I expect them to run 50 yards then fall. Being in the rifle business I have heard about bullet failures from every brand from customers. Luckily I have not had that experiance. But my advice is to make a good vital shot and if the bullet does not perform like expected it will still be a decent kill. A poor shot with poor performance is a bad combo. Bullet failures on animals that were never recovered really cant be counted. You dont know where the shot actually hit so who really knows. I do agree when guys start talking 1000 plus, you would be better off with a 338. But the reality is I bet you find a lot more elk at 800 and in than you do at 800-1200. Dont know why but it seems to go that way.

 

[Rope2horns]

Show me a bullet and I'll bet you someone on the internet has had a problem with it.

For 30cal Berger 215Hybrid.

 

[Darwin]

30-06 and 165 Barnes X absolutely flattens Elk at 250.

 

[Murray Brook]

Can't comment on anything over 500 yds but from the muzzle to 500 yds I find the Nosler Part matched to the cartridge you are shooting is hard to beat. JME

 

[Alaska Bush Man]

So what bullet do you use and what effective range do you believe it works at. Mainly looking for 180gr plus information. I have lived in Wyoming for 43 years and hunted big game all of them. A 300 win mag seems to be the winning choice for years with a 180gr bullet. I know more elk were killed with a 30/30 or a 30 06 in years past with alot less power. So i'm looking for and all around bullet proven at close range and distance out to 1200 yards.


Two years ago I shot a 6 point bull at 50 yards. The tag I had took 39 years to draw. I shot it with a 300 win. and a 180gr combined technologies bullet. The bull fell in his tracks. I chambered another round and watched him as I kneeled down to pickup my brass. I also watched him get up and run 175yards where another hunter shot him. What I found was 6 to 8 inches of hide and meat blown off his shoulder. The load was from nosler at 3160fps. I helped this guy dress his elk and traveled on. Two hours later I shot another elk at 50 yards behind the front shoulder then twice in the neck to kill him. Never before have I had this happen. I have shot hornady spbt and win. silvertips. the old style. I bought these in case i needed to shoot past 500 yards. Never again.

Sounds like you were using a Ballistic Silvertip
You need to switch bullets Nosler Accubond 180 is a favorite in my 300 Win Mag.
Now I suggest keep your hunting range more realistic 450 yards is a good shot on elk. Those experts shooting Bergers at extreme long range spend hours doping their range and load and have the expensive equipment to do so.
Here in Alaska I keep all my shots 500 yards or less on moose with a big 30” kill zone area with 300 Win Mag and 180AB and 338 Win/338 RUM with 225gr.

 

[martyj]

Its really hard to beat Nosler partition for hunting.
They shoot well and always expand and leave an exit wound.